Is winter drying your skin out?
The season of sweaters, apple cider doughnuts, camel coats, and dry, parched skin is upon us. For me, the telltale sign of the fall season change is an uptick of how many patients start coming in complaining of itchy, dry skin. It’s like clockwork. You, dear reader, may be experiencing dry skin and giving yourself a scratch as you are reading this. And why does this happen? Well, humidity levels drop in winter because cold air holds less moisture than warm air. To make matters worse, turning on the heat in your home burns off the remaining water in the air. The recommended humidity levels are around 30-50%, but with the heat on, many homes can have humidity levels less than 20%, which is as dry as the Sahara desert.
Ok, so winter = low humidity. How does that affect how the skin functions? Well, studies have shown that skin exposed to low humidity does an inferior job acting as a barrier and holding onto water, which leads to an increased susceptibility to fracture after physical stress, as well as increased inflammation. Imagine an old dilapidated brick wall with crumbling mortar - it’s not structurally sound and may even leak air or water to the other side. This defect in how the skin functions account for the increase in dry skin, itch, and flares of eczema seen during the low humidity, winter months. Airplanes have notoriously low humidity and flight attendants have higher rates of itch and rash than those working in an office setting. Because of the increased porousness of the skin and decreased function, there is also an increase in irritation from things that normally don’t bother your skin, like the detergents you use in your clothes, your soap, etc.
So it’s looking pretty bleak, huh? We’re all just going to turn into itchy messes? Well, you’re in luck, I’m going to share my best tips and tricks for combatting the winter dry skin blues. Let’s start with the shower - try to avoid hot hot hot showers (I know it feels amazing). The hot water strips the skin of the lipids that help our skin retain moisture, just like how hot water dissolves grease on a pan. Keep it lukewarm for most of your shower. While you’re washing, use a moisturizing soap, like the Dove white bar. If you are using Ivory, Irish Spring or Dial, please just stop. Please. If you are itchy, these soaps are probably the main reason why. My itchy old male patients that come see me think I’m a clairvoyant when I can predict that they use Irish Spring soap just by looking at their dry skin!
Once you’re out of the shower, slather on a thick cream, preferably from a jar. Lotions from a pump have a higher percentage of water, which means it evaporates relatively quickly and doesn’t help seal in moisture on the skin as well. Think Cetaphil, CeraVe, or Eucerin. As you know, I even use Cetaphil cream on my face. Studies have shown that using thicker emollients can reverse the badness that happens to your skin during low humidity months. Oils are fine, although they tend to get absorbed pretty quickly and don’t do much in the way of helping to restore your skin barrier.
Still dry? Get yourself a humidifier for the bedroom (doesn’t matter if it’s a cold or warm mist). It’ll put moisture in the air as you sleep and keep your skin happy and not feeling as parched. I hope these recommendations will help you get through these winter months with moisturized and well-balanced skin. Next installment in this series will be how to modify your facial skin care routine in the winter to minimize the irritation and dryness, so check back soon!
References:
Denda M, Sato J, Tsuchiya T, Elias PM, Feingold KR. Low humidity stimulates epidermal DNA synthesis and amplifies the hyperproliferative response to barrier disruption: implication for seasonal exacerbations of inflammatory dermatoses. J Invest Dermatol. 1998 Nov;111(5):873-8.
Engebretsen KA, Johansen JD, Kezic S, Linneberg A, Thyssen JP. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2016 Feb;30(2):223-49.